Who was Zethar in the bible?

Zethar (of Persian origin) is named as one of the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus. In Esther’s opening scene, he appears among the servants the king commanded during a royal feast.

Zethar in Scripture

Zethar is mentioned once, in the context of a royal banquet hosted by Ahasuerus. The immediate setting describes how the king’s household handled the feast’s drinking customs:

“In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had instructed all the officials of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure.” (Esther 1:8)

At the same time, Queen Vashti is also described as hosting a feast:

“Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to King Ahasuerus.” (Esther 1:9)

Within that feast setting, Zethar is listed by name among “the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king.” The narrative specifies the timing and the command that brought these eunuchs into action:

“On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcass, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,” (Esther 1:10)

The command given through these eunuchs was directed toward Vashti:

“to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the royal crown, to show the people and the princes her beauty; for she was beautiful.” (Esther 1:11)

The account then reports Vashti’s response and the king’s reaction. The eunuchs, including Zethar, are the channel through which the king’s command is conveyed:

“But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by the eunuchs. Therefore the king was very angry, and his anger burned in him.” (Esther 1:12)

Afterward, Ahasuerus consults counselors described as “wise men” who understood legal judgment:

“Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times (for it was the king’s custom to consult those who knew law and judgment;” (Esther 1:13)

Within this sequence, Zethar’s role is limited to his inclusion among the seven eunuchs serving in the king’s presence at the moment the king issues his command. Scripture does not add further speech or action for Zethar beyond this listing, but his placement in the group ties him to the formal court procedure by which the king’s command was delivered “by the eunuchs.”

Name and Meaning

The name is written in Hebrew script as זֵתַר and transliterated as Zethar, pronounced zay-thar’. Strong’s notes that the name is of Persian origin. A lexicon gloss identifies Zethar as a eunuch of Xerxes.

Brief observation

In the only passage where he appears, Zethar is remembered as one of the named court servants through whom Ahasuerus’ command concerning Vashti was carried: “the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king.” (Esther 1:10)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Zethar mean?

Zethar is a name of Persian origin.

How many times does Zethar appear in the Bible?

Zethar appears 1 time.

Who was Zethar?

Zethar is identified as a eunuch of Xerxes.

What is Zethar doing in Esther 1:10?

In Esther 1:10, Zethar is among the seven eunuchs the king commanded on the seventh day when the king’s heart was merry with wine.

Explore Further

If you found this page about Zethar interesting and would like to discover more about other biblical characters, explore our comprehensive Encyclopedia of Biblical Characters. For those looking to delve deeper into the Greek origins of these names and terms, our Greek Lexicon is an invaluable resource.

Sources: Name and occurrence data from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and STEPBible reference data (CC BY). Scripture quotations from the World English Bible (public domain).